High-resolution, selective and self-optimizing haptic and electrotactile display and methods of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016346164-A1
Application number	US-201615167527-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 27, 2016
Priority date	May 27, 2015
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

High-resolution, selective, and self-optimizing haptic and electrotactile display and methods of use. In an embodiment of a feedback system referenced herein, the feedback system comprises a prosthesis configured to be worn by an individual, comprising at least one prosthesis sensor configured to detect a state or condition in an environment of the at least one prosthesis sensor, and at least one actuator in communication with the at least one prosthesis sensor and configured to receive data relating to the detected state or condition and to stimulate a nerve of the individual; a neural sensor positioned upon or within the individual, configured to detect a neural response relating to the stimulation of the nerve by the at least one actuator; and a processor in communication with at least one of the at least one prosthesis sensor, at least one of the at least one actuator, and the neural sensor.

First claim

1 . A feedback system, comprising:
a prosthesis configured to be worn by an individual, the prosthesis comprising:
at least one prosthesis sensor configured to detect a state or condition in an environment of the at least one prosthesis sensor, and
at least one actuator in communication with the at least one prosthesis sensor and configured to receive data relating to the detected state or condition and to stimulate a nerve of the individual;
a neural sensor positioned upon or within the individual, the neural sensor configured to detect a neural response relating to the stimulation of the nerve by the at least one actuator; and a processor in communication with at least one of the at least one prosthesis sensor, at least one of the at least one actuator, and the neural sensor, the processor configured to control operation of the at least one actuator based upon the data relating to the detected state or condition from the at least one prosthesis sensor and data from a sensation map, the sensation map comprising sensation data relating to an experienced sensation from a brain of the individual in response to the neural response.

2 . The feedback system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured to directly stimulate the nerve of the individual.

3 . The feedback system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured to indirectly stimulate the nerve of the individual via skin of the individual.

4 . The feedback system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured to vibrate in response to the state or condition indicating vibration.

5 . The feedback system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises an array of actuators in communication with the processor via a plurality of signal pathways.

6 . The feedback system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises the sensation map, and wherein the sensation data of the sensation map further relates to a second experienced sensation from the brain of the individual in response to a second neural response.

7 . The feedback system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises the sensation map, and wherein the sensation data of the sensation map further relates to a plurality of additional experienced sensations from the brain of the individual in response to a corresponding plurality of neural responses.

8 . The feedback system of claim 1 , accessible using a data processing system in communication with the feedback system, the data processing system comprising:
a data processor in communication with the feedback system, a data storage system, and a user interface system, wherein the data storage system is configured to store data processed by the data processor from the feedback system, and wherein the user interface system is configured to obtain inputs from a user to control operation of the data processor.

9 . The feedback system of claim 8 , wherein the data processor is controllable by a second data processing system in communication with the data processor through a network.

10 . The feedback system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises:
a plunger positioned relative to an electromagnetic coil, the plunger having a tip configured to provide physical pressure to the nerve of the individual, the plunger configured for displacement from current flowing through the electromagnetic coil; a spring positioned relative to the plunger, the spring configured to oppose a force related to movement of the plunger; and a pressure sensor positioned relative to the spring, the pressure sensor configured to measure pressure provided by the plunger.

11 . The feedback system of claim 10 , wherein the actuator further comprises:
at least one heating element configured to stimulate the nerve of the individual with heat; and at least one cooling element configured to stimulate the nerve of the individual via cooling.

12 . The feedback system of claim 10 , wherein the plunger provides the physical pressure to the nerve of the individual in response to the detected state or condition from the at least one sensor and data from the sensation map relating to pressure.

13 . The feedback system of claim 11 , wherein the actuator stimulates the nerve of the individual with heat via operation of the at least one heating element in response to the detected state or condition from the at least one sensor and data from the sensation map relating to heat.

14 . The feedback system of claim 11 , wherein the actuator stimulates the nerve of the individual with cooling via operation of the at least one cooling element in response to the detected state or condition from the at least one sensor and data from the sensation map relating to cooling.

15 . A method, comprising the steps of:
collecting sensor data from a sensor of a prosthesis; applying actuation via an actuator of the prosthesis corresponding to the sensor data to induce a neural response from a nerve of an individual wearing the prosthesis; measuring the neural response from the individual; receiving data of a sensation corresponding to the neural response; generating a sensation map relating the sensor data to the data of the sensation; and repeating the collecting, applying, measuring, receiving, and generating steps to generate a comprehensive sensation map corresponding to the sensor.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensor data and the data of the sensation within the comprehensive sensation map is used to further apply actuation of the actuator by way of movement of a plunger of the actuator to provide physical pressure to the nerve of the individual in response to the sensor data and the data of the sensation indicating pressure from the sensor of the prosthesis.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensor data and the data of the sensation within the comprehensive sensation map is used to further apply actuation of the actuator by way of operation of at least one heating element of the actuator to provide heat to the nerve of the individual in response to the sensor data and the data of the sensation indicating heat from the sensor of the prosthesis.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the sensor data and the data of the sensation within the comprehensive sensation map is used to further apply actuation of the actuator by way of operation of at least one cooling element of the actuator to provide cooling to the nerve of the individual in response to the sensor data and the data of the sensation indicating cooling from the sensor of the prosthesis.

19 . An actuator configured for use with a prosthesis configured to be worn by an individual, the actuator comprising:
a plunger positioned relative to an electromagnetic coil, the plunger having a tip configured to provide physical pressure to a nerve of the individual, the plunger configured for displacement from current flowing through the electromagnetic coil; a spring positioned relative to the plunger, the spring configured to oppose a force related to movement of the plunger; a pressure sensor positioned relative to the spring, the pressure sensor configured to measure pressure provided by the plunger; at least one heating element configured to stimulate the nerve of the individual with heat; and at least one cooling element configured to stimulate the nerve of the individual via cooling; wherein operation of the actuator is controlled using a processor in communication with the actuator, the processor configured to control operation of the actuator based upon data obtained b

Assignees

• Purdue Research Foundation

Inventors

• Ward Matthew P
• Irazoqui Pedro P
• Arafat Muhammad Abdullah

Classifications

• A61B5/4851 Primary

  Prosthesis assessment or monitoring · CPC title

• A61H2201/5043

  Displays · CPC title

• A61H23/0218

  with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement · CPC title

• A61N1/0456

  Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS] · CPC title

• A61H2201/5007

  computer controlled · CPC title